BOW -v- The London Borough of Camden (anonymity order)

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Case number: AC-2025-LON-002011

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Administrative Court

20 June 2025

Before:

The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie

Between:

The King
on the application of
BOW
(A child who has no litigation friend)

-v-

The London Borough of Camden

Order

BEFORE the Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie, sitting as the immediates judge at the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand, London on 20.6.2025.

WITHIN the claim for judicial review signed by Richard O’Sullivan of counsel and undated but issued today.

ON AN APPLICATION by the Claimant for urgent consideration dated 20.6.2025.

FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION of the documents lodged by the Claimant and the email lodged stating that accommodation had been provided to the Claimant and seeking to withdraw the application and the claim.

AND UPON:
(1) Consideration of the ECHR Article 8 rights of the Claimant to respect for private and
family life, and the Article 10 right to freedom of expression.
(2) Consideration of section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981; Section 39 of the
Children and Young Persons Act 1933; CPR rules 5.4 and 39.2 and the Court’s inherent jurisdiction.
(3) Consideration of the decisions in PMC v A Local Health Board [2024] EWHC 2969
(KB) and JXMX v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust [2015] EWCA Civ. 96.
(4) It appearing that non-disclosure of the identity of the Claimant is necessary to secure
the proper administration of justice and in order to protect the interests of the Claimant and that there is no sufficient countervailing public interest in disclosure.
(5) The Defendants indicating there are no objections to the Claimant’s application for anonymity and there being no representations from the press or any other interested party.

AND WHEREAS for the purposes of this order:
(1) ‘Publication’ includes any speech, writing, broadcast, or other communication in
whatever form (including internet and social media), which is addressed to the public at large or any section of the public.
(2) Publication for the purpose of this order includes any further publication (as defined in subparagraph (1) above) from the date of this order, even if such information has derived from a previous stage or stages of these proceedings.

NOW IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. The identity of the Claimant as a party to these proceedings shall not be published
    and shall be replaced by a cipher in hearings in open court and documents.
  2. There shall be no disclosure in any report of these proceedings or other publication
    of the name or address of the Claimant or other immediate family members or any details (including other names, addresses, or a specific combination of facts) that could lead to the identification of the Claimant in these proceedings.
  3. In any judgment or report of these proceedings, or other publication (by whatever
    medium) in relation thereto:
    (i) The Claimant shall be referred to as “BOW”.
    (ii) Any other details which, on their own or together with other information publicly available may lead to the identification of the Claimant (including any names of other immediate family members or their addresses) shall be redacted before publication.
  4. Pursuant to CPR Rules 5.4C and 5.4D:
    (i) A person who is not a party to the proceedings may not obtain a copy of a
    statement of case, judgment or order from the court records unless the statement of case, judgment or order has been anonymised in accordance with subparagraphs 3(a) to (c) above.
    (ii) If a person who is not a party to the proceedings applies for permission to inspect or obtain a copy of any other document or communication, such application shall be on at least 7 days’ notice to the Claimant’s solicitor or deputy.
  5. The court paper and electronic files shall be clearly marked with the words “An anonymity order was made in this case on * and any application by a non-party to inspect or obtain a copy document from this file must be dealt with in accordance with the terms of that order.”
  6. Any interested party, whether or not a party to the proceedings, may apply to the court to vary or discharge this order, provided that any such application is made on 7 days’ notice to the claimant’s solicitor or deputy.

AND IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. The Court grants permission under CPR r.21.2(2) for the child who is soon to be 18 to conduct these proceedings without a litigation friend until the next hearing.
  2. The claim shall be discontinued on the filing by the Claimant of a notice of discontinuance which shall be filed by 4pm on 25.6.2025.
  3. No costs.
  4. Because this order has been made on the papers, the Defendant may apply to vary or set it aside on 48 hours written notice.

    Reasons

    1. The Claimant aged 17 fled his home after a parent allegedly assaulted him. He has sickle cell anaemia. He is penniless. Camden were not quick to accommodate him, despite being homeless.
    2. A barrister, who is the father of a friend, has assisted him in this claim. Camden very recently provided accommodation for the Claimant so the claim is now academic. By email his barrister applies to withdraw the claim. Discontinuance is available without permission but a notice of discontinuance must be filed.
    3. I have made an anonymity order. I have also permitted the Claimant to conduct the case with the barrister despite being under 18. There was no time for a litigation friend to be appointed and money is not involved in the claim.

    Signed: Mr Justice Ritchie
    Made: 20.6.2025